Vehicle traffic-signal.



S. KODAMA.

VEHICLE TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY13.19I8.

Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

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VEHICLE TRAFFIC-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

Application filed May 13, 1918. Serial No. 234,039.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SETSUJI KonAMA, a subject of the Emperor of Japan, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Vehicle Traffic-Signal, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for indicating the intended route of automobiles and motor vehicles, and embodies an arrangement whereby certain of the elements of the device may be elected to announce that the vehicle is about to turn to the right or left, to stop, or to otherwise deviate from the regular course of travel.

This invention comprehends a visual direction indicator provided with suitable in signia, and pneumatic or fluid pressure means whereby the driver of the vehicle may actuate the signal to display position to announce to the occupants of other vehicles approaching from the front or rear, the intended route or path of travel.

The objects of this invention are to provide a direction indicator for motor vehicles, which will be simple in construction, strong and durable in use, reliable and eflicient in operation, and universally adaptable for all classes of automobiles and motor vehicles.

Additional objects of the invention may appear in the following detail description in which the preferred form of the invention is disclosed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the parts of my improved signaling device; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the container; and Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the container with the signaling elements in open or display position.

Referring to the drawings, the essential features of my invention consist of a container or receptacle 11, provided with brackets 12, by which the container may be attached to any desired part of the motor vehicle; a fluid or air pressure cylinder 13, provided With attaching brackets 15. a flexible pipe conduit 16, extending between the cylinder and the container, and manually operated mechanism for compressing air within the cylinder to actuate the signal device.

Cylinder 13 is provided with a piston 17 and piston-rod 18, the outer end 19, of the rod consisting of a rack 20. A toothed sector 21 is pivotally mounted in supports 22, and is actuated by the movement of the foot lever 23. lVhen the foot lever is actuated by the operator, it will engage with the lug 24, and remain in the operative position, thus holding the air compressed within the cylinder. Upon release of the foot lever by the operator, it is retracted by the spring 25, to inoperative position.

The signaling means are embodied in the container, and consist of a swinging frame 26, hinged to the container, and adapted to open outward to display position. The outer section of the displaying elements consists of a frame 27, pivotally connected to frame 26 adjacent to the outer edge 28, of frame 26. The inner edge of frame 27, consists of a bar 29, having mounted thereon the pinion 30. A rack member 31 is pivotally connected to the container lug 32, the member 31 being provided with a slot 33, in which pinion 30 travels as the frame members swing outward to display position. Member 31 limits the outward movement of the frame members. In inoperative position, member 27 is folded inward upon frame 26, but as frame 26 swings outward, pinion '30 engages with the toothed portion 34, of

rack member 31, and frame 27 is turned to open outward.

The link 35 is pivotally mounted on the container pin or bar 37, and is retracted within the container by spring 36, which has one end engaging with the link 35, and the other end with the container pin 37. A tube 38, in connection with the flexible tube 16 is mounted longitudinally within the container, and the air cylinder 39, is pivotally mounted thereon, and is in constant communication with the tube. with a piston 40, connected to the lug 41, on frame 26, by piston rod 42. A link 43 is pivotally connected to a similar lug 44, at the bottom of frame 26, and is pivotally connected to link 35.

A flexible fabric 45 is attached to the outer edge of the outer swing section 27, and to the edge of the container, and is tensed as the members 26, 27, swing outward. The flexible fabric is provided with suitable insignia, as for example, the words, Stop turn, to indicate and announce that the vehicle is about to deviate from a regular course of travel.

The operation of the device is as follows: The pressure in cylinder 13 is transmitted to cylinder 39, actuating the piston therein and swinging the frame 26, outward. As frame The cylinder is provided- 26 approaches its limit of travel, the pinion 30 engages the toothed portion of member 31, and actuates member 27 to open outward. The flexible fabric is thus tensed and the signal thereon is displayed. Upon release of the pressure in the cylinder, the frame 26 is retracted by spring 36, and upon starting its inward movement, the pinion 30 is actuated to close member 27 inwardly against member 26. The flexible fabric will be folded between members 26, 27, and member 31, will swing against the container as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a container, of a folding cover therefor having two sections,

hinges connecting the inner sections with the container, hinges connecting the inner and outer sections of the cover, a pressure cylinder within the container, means connecting the cylinder with one section of the cover to actuate the cover to open position, means connecting the remaining'cover section and the container whereby the remaining section v is actuated to open position, and means for admitting pressure to the cylinder.

2. The combination with a receptacle, of a frame member hinged to the receptacle and opening outward, a bar pivotally mounted in the frame, a pinion mounted on the bar, a rack member pivotally connected to the receptacle and engaging with the pinion to limit the outward swing of the frame, a second frame integral with the pivotally mounted bar, means for swinging the firstn-a'med frame outward, anda flexible fabric attached to the inner wall of the receptacle and the outer edge of the outer frame and provided with direction indicating insignia.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afliX my signature this first day of December, in the year 1917. V

SETSUJ I KODAMA. In presence of- J. l/V. MASTED, FREDERIC M. KEENEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

